As Tomioka's words fell, Nami gave him a disapproving look.
Vivi picked up the Log Pose she had been clutching, her brows furrowed tightly as she said in a heavy tone, "No, Mr. Tomioka, that's precisely the problem. Log Poses take time to record, but to fully charge a Log Pose here in Small Garden... it would take a whole year."
"A year?!" Nami's tone became incredibly decisive, her voice rising slightly, "That's too long! Absolutely not! Vivi's country can't wait that long! We must find a way to get to Alabasta as quickly as possible!"
Listening to Nami's words, Vivi held up the Eternal Pose that Luffy had acquired from Robin, and said earnestly, "For now, we can only rely on this! Let's first go to the island this Log Pose points to, which is the island Ms. All Sunday mentioned has a doctor! On one hand, Mr. Tomioka can get treated for his injuries; on the other hand, we can also look for a way to quickly reach Alabasta there!"
Luffy nodded vigorously, supporting the plan without hesitation, "Yeah! You're right! First, let's find a doctor for Tomioka! Then we'll go help Vivi beat up that guy called Crocodile!"
Zoro stood by, arms crossed, "No problem."
Usopp walked over to Tomioka, holding his slingshot, and said, "Tomioka! This time, just trust us!"
Nami also nodded, a determined smile on her face, "Leave it to us!"
Hearing their unwavering words and feeling their unreserved support, Vivi's eyes welled up slightly. She nodded forcefully, "Thank you... thank you, everyone!"
Meanwhile, Sanji, standing to the side, glanced into his pants pocket. Inside was a Log Pose he had just picked up in the Candle House. He simply blew smoke rings, an uncharacteristic silence about him.
Tomioka, who had been decided to be prioritized for treatment, paused, seemingly unaccustomed to being the center of such concern and protection.
He lowered his gaze slightly and whispered, "...Thank you."
Then, seeing that everyone had made up their minds, Luffy said to Dorry and Brogy, "Alright then, Big Uncle and Giant Uncle!! We're leaving!!"
"Is that so? Then go and heal your companion properly."
Brogy's booming voice rang out. He and Dorry sat side by side, like two small mountain peaks. "We wish you a smooth voyage! The warriors of Elbaf bless you!"
Dorry, who had bandaged himself, also smiled and said, "After you've settled everything, we'll definitely meet again somewhere in the future! When that time comes, let's have another grand feast!"
"Oh!!! We definitely will!"
Luffy excitedly agreed, always looking forward to feasts. "We'll eat lots and lots of meat then!"
After bidding farewell to the two respected Giant Race warriors, the Straw Hat began to pack up and prepare to leave.
Nami carefully confirmed the direction indicated by the Eternal Pose, took a deep breath, and pointed towards where the Going Merry was anchored. "Alright! Let's go!!!"
Luffy and Usopp cheered and rushed aboard first. Sanji cautioned Vivi to watch her step. Zoro glanced back in the direction they came from to confirm, then followed.
Nami and Vivi carefully helped Tomioka, who was still weak and occasionally coughed.
"Walk slowly, no need to rush." Nami's voice was uncharacteristically gentle.
"Mm..." Tomioka responded softly, trying to regulate his breathing, matching their pace, step by step, walking resolutely towards the Going Merry. *Smack—*
"This place is too annoying... Why are there so many bugs here..."
...The Going Merry slowly sailed away from the shores of Small Garden. Just then, everyone on board saw Dorry and Brogy! They hadn't stayed in the center of the island but had somehow made their way to the shore of Small Garden.
"Uncles?" Luffy stopped waving, his eyes widening curiously. "You're so kind, did you specially come all the way here to see us off?"
Brogy's voice, standing on the shore, was the first to reach them, "There's one more reason that prevented the previous dwarves from reaching the next island, and it's right in front of you!"
"In front?"
Nami, observing the sea, felt a jolt in her heart. Her recently relaxed nerves immediately tensed up again. Her voice carried a hint of panic, "What is it?! Is there something in front?"
"Hoh hoh hoh hoh!"
Dorry's hearty laughter rang out, carrying a reassuring power, "There's nothing for you to worry about! You just need to do one thing!!"
"Go straight ahead!! Just trust us!"
"That's right!" Brogy interjected, his voice filled with determination, shouting to the Straw Hat, "No matter what happens, no matter what you see, do not turn! Just go straight ahead! The rest, leave it to us to handle!"
This unreserved trust instantly ignited Luffy's enthusiasm. He immediately jumped to the bow of the ship, excitedly waving his arms towards the Giants, then shouted with all his might, "Oh!!! Go straight ahead!!!"
Just then!!!
The sea directly ahead began to churn without warning, and a massive shadow rapidly rose from the deep sea!
*Whoosh la la—!!!*
A super-giant goldfish-shaped Sea Kings broke through the surface of the sea, appearing directly in front of the Going Merry! Its gaping maw was like a terrifying, bottomless cave, large enough to swallow the entire Going Merry.
"W-what kind of monster is that!!!" Usopp exclaimed in shock, staring at the goldfish, his eyes nearly popping out.
"Nami! Should we turn?!" Sanji immediately shouted to Nami.
"Don't turn the rudder!" Luffy stood at the bow, his voice exceptionally firm. He shouted without looking back, "Trust the Giant Uncles! Go straight ahead!"
Usopp's voice trembled slightly, but he gritted his teeth and yelled, "That's right! Trust the Uncles! Go straight ahead! Go straight ahead, Nami!"
The Going Merry began to charge straight towards that abyssal maw!!!
Just at this moment, from the distant shore, came the furious roars of Dorry and Brogy, their voices now merged into one:
"The one who won't let us pass here is just that blood-stained snake."
"Please watch carefully, this is the strongest spear from the warrior nation of Elbaf's Giant Race!!!"
Everyone in the Straw Hat, including the weak Tomioka, was infected by this momentum at this moment, and they shouted this sentence in unison, their voices converging into a firm belief.
"Go straight ahead!!!"
The next instant, the world seemed to fall silent.
Dorry wielded his already dulled greatsword, and Brogy swung his battle-axe, which was also no longer sharp.
Two shockwaves, condensed with a hundred years of fighting will, two ferocious slashes that tore through heaven and earth, erupted from the weapons of the two Giants!!!
"Hakoku!!!!"
That shockwave directly pierced through that super-giant goldfish Sea Kings!
Immediately after, the colossal Sea Kings didn't even have time to let out a final cry. Its massive body was instantly split in two from the middle by that shockwave, which contained ultimate power and will!
*Rumble!!!*
And at the same time, two crisp snapping sounds, almost simultaneous, clearly echoed from afar.
*Crack! Clang—!*
Having completed their final mission, the greatsword and battle-axe, which had borne a hundred years of fierce battle and their final glory, could no longer withstand the recoil of Hakoku and shattered with a crash!
Dorry and Brogy looked at the remaining hilts of their weapons and let out even more unrestrained and joyful laughter! They used all their strength to send off the small ship, which had stabilized in the waves, with a final farewell:
"Go!!!"
The Going Merry rode the cleared path of Hakoku, propelled by the force of the giant waves, and rushed out of this sea area, sailing towards the next unknown leg of its journey.